H.R. 2000 — Arctic Watchers Act

This section expresses the sense of Congress that the Arctic region is critical to U.S. national security and presents risks and opportunities for U.S. security, economic, natural resource, cyber, and geopolitical interests worldwide, and that the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation seek to undermine U.S. interests in the region, requiring the United States to counter their influence in all sectors.

This section establishes the Arctic Watcher Program in the Department of State, to be carried out by the Secretary of State in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to (1) monitor the Arctic region across security, military, economic, natural resource, cyber, scientific, and political sectors in foreign countries; (2) combat malign influence campaigns by China, Russia, and others that threaten U.S., European, and Indo-Pacific security and the rules-based order; (3) strengthen U.S. engagement with foreign countries and regional mechanisms to protect the region; and (4) advance U.S. energy security, cybersecurity, and economic interests, including in critical minerals and natural resources. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Office of the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, must assign Arctic Watchers to at least three posts in European countries with significant Arctic interests, at least one post in North American countries with such interests, and other posts as needed, with notification to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. That office must provide policy guidance to the Watchers, and each post must submit an annual report to the committees outlining steps taken and goals for the following year. Not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter, the Secretary must report to the committees on assigned posts, responsibilities, and strategies. This section authorizes $10 million for FY2025 and each fiscal year thereafter.